Diabetes

More than 425 million people in the world have diabetes – estimated to increase to 629 by 2045. Around 50% of cases remain undiagnosed, undermining efforts to manage the disease and its consequences. Low and middle-income countries account for 79% of the global diabetes burden, yet many are ill-equipped to properly identify, treat and manage this disease and its consequences. Local diets originally based on fresh fish, vegetables and fruit now include a high intake of instant noodles, packaged biscuits and sugary drinks. Less than 10 percent of adults in Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands eat a sufficiently nutritious diet, while more than 60 percent are obese in American Samoa, Tokelau, Cook Islands and Tonga, according to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). 12% of global health expenditure is spent on diabetes – over US$800 billion dollars annually yet every six seconds, a person dies from diabetes. In Fiji alone, there are an average 3 amputations per day and there has been dramatic increase in cases of vision loss and blindness. In the Pacific, diabetic retinopathy is starting to rank among the leading causes of visual impairment, overloading already stretched eye care services. The disease was uncommon a generation ago in most Pacific populations, but the prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically in recent years. Early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow up can reduce the risk of severe vision loss by 95%. The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand are working towards improving Diabetic Retinopathy treatment in the region.

Diabetes

More than 425 million people in the world have diabetes – estimated to increase to 629 by 2045. Around 50% of cases remain undiagnosed, undermining efforts to manage the disease and its consequences. Low and middle-income countries account for 79% of the global diabetes burden, yet many are ill-equipped to properly identify, treat and manage this disease and its consequences. Local diets originally based on fresh fish, vegetables and fruit now include a high intake of instant noodles, packaged biscuits and sugary drinks. Less than 10 percent of adults in Kiribati, Nauru, Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands eat a sufficiently nutritious diet, while more than 60 percent are obese in American Samoa, Tokelau, Cook Islands and Tonga, according to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC). 12% of global health expenditure is spent on diabetes – over US$800 billion dollars annually yet every six seconds, a person dies from diabetes. In Fiji alone, there are an average 3 amputations per day and there has been dramatic increase in cases of vision loss and blindness. In the Pacific, diabetic retinopathy is starting to rank among the leading causes of visual impairment, overloading already stretched eye care services. The disease was uncommon a generation ago in most Pacific populations, but the prevalence of diabetes has increased dramatically in recent years. Early detection, timely treatment and appropriate follow up can reduce the risk of severe vision loss by 95%. The Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand are working towards improving Diabetic Retinopathy treatment in the region.